Mayor Scott Wallace called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. May 13, 2024, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Mayor Scott Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, and Steve Westby. Staff present: Michelle Quinn, Brett Hurley, and Ed Jacobs. A listing of public members present is on file.
CSAH 13/Spruce Street: Matt Mohs, City Engineer and Derek Olinger, Project Manager, presented the Feasibility Report. Motion by Baumann, seconded by Krage to reschedule the regular June meeting from Monday, June 10, 2024, to Wednesday, June 12, 2024, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and to adopt the following resolution receiving the feasibility report and calling on improvement. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-10
Receiving Feasibility Report and Calling on Improvement
2025 Street & Utility Improvements
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA:
1.The council will consider the improvement of such street in accordance with the report and the assessment of abutting property and other property receiving special benefit for all or a portion of the estimated cost of the improvement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429 at an estimated total cost of the improvement of $2,598,000. The city’s estimated share of this cost is $1,468,000 with the remainder funded by Houston County.
2.A public hearing shall be held on such proposed improvement on the 12th day of June 2024, in the council chambers of the city hall at 6:00 p.m. and the city administrator shall give mailed and published notice of such hearing and improvement as required by law.
Water Meter Upgrades/Register & Endpoints:
Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to authorize the purchase of replacement registers and endpoints and to assess the end user for the $1 monthly fee beginning at time of installation. Motion carried unanimously.
Summer Rec Program Staffing: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to hire the following individuals as student summer rec staff at minimum wage for 14-17 and 18 and over rates; Rudy Erdmann, Seth Erdmann, Avery Kingsley, Adalyn Millen, Reece Norlien, Mary Srock, and Troy Zibrowski, and to authorize additional hires who meet employment criteria so as many students as possible may begin to establish work history. Motion carried unanimously.
Lawn Chair Concert Food Truck: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to grant approval for mobile food unit(s) in conjunction with the Lawn Chair Concert Series, in accordance with Ordinance §113.08 and to update the “List of Community Festivals” to include the Lawn Chair Concert Series. Motion carried unanimously.
Temporary Liquor License: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to approve, authorize signature, and submission of the application and permit for a 1 day to 4-day temporary on-sale liquor license for Houston Hoedown Days for an event to be held July 26 through 28, 2024. Motion carried unanimously.
Tree Donation: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby adopt the following resolution accepting the donation. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING TREE DONATION TO THE CITY.
WHEREAS, the following persons and entities have offered to contribute the items set forth below to the city:
Name of Donor Item
Kevin LindhOne apple tree to be planted in Trailhead Park
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS:
1.The donations described above are accepted and shall be used as allowed by law.
Participating in Ecological Monitoring: Motion by Westby, seconded by Baumann to participate in the Ecological Monitoring Network Program and grant permission for access and plot mapping. Motion carried unanimously.
Annual Noxious Weed Reporting: Motion by Westby, seconded by Krage to approve the 2023 Annual City Report/Noxious Weed Control, and authorize the appropriate signatures on the same. Motion carried unanimously.
Offer to Purchase: Discussion was held regarding a draft purchase agreement for property the International Owl Center wishes to acquire. Karla Bloem submitted written comments. Clerical errors were identified which need to be corrected, discussion was held regarding the acceptance date and a request from the International Owl Center (IOC) to extend the date, and the fact the city has not received a response from the US Army Corp of Engineers regarding whether an easement off the levee is agreeable. It was noted the IOC would have the option to pursue an access easement from MN Dot District 6 from State 76. This option may not be preferred due to the angle of the bank. Motion by Westby, seconded by Krage to approve the purchase agreement and authorize the signatures of Mayor Wallace and Clerk/Administrator Quinn on the necessary purchase agreement and peripheral documents as outlined in the purchase agreement and to adopt resolution 2024-12 authorizing the sale of land through private sale contingent upon the following:
Correct the description of parcels to be acquired to include Parcels 1 and 2 from the survey being 24.0030.000 and part of parcels 24.0502.005 and 24.0499.000.
Correct the name of the Corp of Engineers to US Army Corps of Engineers from Minnesota Corps of Engineers.
Update the acceptance date to June 3, 2024.
Until clarification from the US Army Corp of Engineers has been received by the city, there will be no inclusion of provision guaranteeing an access easement off the levy. This may be amended in the event favorable response is received from the Corp.
Clarify that First Right of Refusal verbiage mirrors intent.
Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-12
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SALE OF LAND
PART OF PARCELS 24.24.0502.005 AND 24.0499.OOO
WHEREAS, the City of Houston has approved the sale of the following described property:
See Exhibit A
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statue 412.211 authorizes the sale of real estate owned by the City.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Houston Authorizes the sale of real property parcel 24.0030.000 and part of real property parcels 24.0502.005, 24.0499.000 through private sale to The International Owl Center.
Minutes and Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2024, regular meeting, and bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Items to be Placed on File: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to place on file the following items. Motion carried unanimously.
Library minutes, reports, and statistics
Quarterly Results Radiochemical Monitoring from MDH
Sanitary Survey Report from MDH
Adjourn: Motion by Westby, seconded by Baumann to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, June 10, 2024.
By: Scott Wallace, Mayor
Attest: Michelle Quinn, Clerk/Administrator
Above proceedings are only a summary. Full text available for public inspection at City Hall as well as the following website:
www.houston.govoffice.com
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